Free Digital Issue

Photo Gallery: Fred Beckey's Big Comeback

At the age of 89, Fred Beckey is at it again. Beckey roped up with two other climbers to do Tranquility, a three-pitch 5.6 in Joshua Tree. Beckey turns 90 on January 14 and is an American climbing treasure.

"His body may have been weakened by age, but he can still move fluidly and thoughtlessly, like he's been doing it for 70+ years!" Richard Shore writes on Mountainproject.com. Shore soloed the route beside the team and took photos.

"Hard of hearing, Fred couldn't quite understand what the name of the tower was called - 'Hedgehog? Moosecock? Moosecat? Oh, Moosedog! Like the one I did in the Karakoram,'" Shore writes on Mountain Project.

Check out these sweet photos from the climb:

Photos by Richard Shore.

Just after the New Year, and less than 10 days before his 90th birthday - the man, the legend, Fred Beckey, attains yet another fine summit. The Moosedog Tower in Indian Cove, Joshua Tree, via the 3-pitch 5.6 route "Tranquility". My buddies Erik Harz and Felix Parham roped up with Fred while I soloed alongside taking photos and providing some additional assistance. Getting a 90 year-old up a 300' route is no easy task! His body may have been weakened by age, but he can still move fluidly and thoughtlessly, like he's been doing it for 70+ years! Enjoy the photos! I can only hope to still be alive and walking at his age, let alone climbing.

Fred starting up the first pitchSubmitted By: Richard Shore on Jan 7, 2013